Quality in staffed provision

Quality in Play is a quality assurance system developed by playwork practitioners for supervised play and childcare provision.

The system includes external assessment and accreditation leading to a national quality award.

It’s suitable for a range of providers, whether starting out or well established, from a small project in a village hall to a large adventure playground in an urban area. Quality in Play provides a clear self-assessment structure for planning, action and review.

Completing the scheme will help play providers improve practice and outcomes for children, and will demonstrate quality to funders, partners and inspectors (including Ofsted).

Quality in Play is based around a set of standards that incorporates the Playwork Principles (see The value of trained playworkers) in eleven quality areas:

  • Children’s freedom and control
  • The physical environment
  • The human environment
  • Reflective playwork practice
  • Workforce development
  • The law and regulation
  • Project and resource management
  • Clear aims and values
  • Communicating effectively
  • Working in the community
  • The bigger picture


For each quality area there is a single level of achievement with an additional excellence award for providers showing significant and sustainable good practice in supporting children’s play.

Organisations that subscribe to Quality in Play receive access to regular mentor training programmes and a register of trained mentors. The mentor acts as a critical friend and works with the provider to develop a portfolio of evidence and ensure they are ready to apply for accreditation. When the provider is ready, a trained and experienced Quality in Play assessor will go through the portfolio, talk to staff and management and observe practice. The assessor then submits a recommendation to an independent accreditation panel. The accreditation award lasts for two years.

In addition, KIDS’ Play Inclusion Project offers training and resources to help providers develop and manage provision that is as fun and engaging to disabled children as it is to those who are not disabled.

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Tools and information

All of us – The Framework for Quality Inclusion KIDS' framework for improving practice by including disabled children and young people in early years, play and childcare settings and services.
It doesn’t just happen- inclusive management for inclusive play and childcare KIDS' guide on inclusive management for inclusive play and childcare provides an organisational framework to support planning and monitoring and evaluation.
Quality in Play Play England’s national quality assurance scheme for staffed play provision.
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Organisations

KIDS KIDS provide information and advice on inclusion in play and childcare.
Play England Provides advice and support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public.
SkillsActive The Sector Skills Council leading on playwork education and training for all those working with children and young people.
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